Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced a major overhaul of the State Department, aiming to reduce staff by 15% in the U.S. and close over 100 bureaus worldwide as part of the Trump administration’s “America First” agenda. The plan, detailed in documents obtained by The Associated Press, is intended to reimagine U.S. foreign policy and streamline the federal government.
The reorganization plan does not involve immediate dismissals of personnel but aims to consolidate offices and bureaus to increase efficiency. It includes transitioning some offices to new locations within the department and creating a reimagined office for foreign and humanitarian affairs. The plan will also eliminate some bureaus, including offices focused on human rights, global women’s issues, and diversity and inclusion efforts.
While some officials had circulated a more drastic reorganization plan over the weekend, the plan outlined by Rubio is less severe, preserving some key offices and work within the department. The official plans have received initial support from Republicans in Congress, who see it as a necessary evolution to face current and future challenges.
However, Democrats have criticized the plan as an attempt to weaken American influence on the global stage. They argue that the proposed changes could impair the U.S.’s ability to exert leadership, achieve national security objectives, and promote democratic values.
The reorganization at the State Department is part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to reduce funding and jobs across various government agencies, including the Education Department and Health and Human Services. In foreign policy, the administration has also defunded media outlets that deliver objective news to authoritarian countries, raising concerns about the impact on U.S. soft power initiatives.
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